Twyla Martin

Twyla Martin's deep Christian faith and other more uncommon attributes enabled her to live an excitingly full and inspiring life and to share it widely with friends and associates. After a very brief illness she left that life on Good Friday, March 25, 2005, at the age of 60. Twyla, a native of Steelville, Missouri, was a graduate of Southwest Baptist College in Bolivar, Missouri and of Mississippi College. She briefly taught high school before joining "the telephone company" as an engineer. In 2000 after 30 years service with the company she retired from a Director-level position at BellSouth. For most of those years she was a manager and considered an expert on governmental regulatory issues, working from Atlanta, New York, New Jersey and the District of Columbia. She also frequently represented BellSouth on prominent national telecommunications committees and forums. Despite her career accomplishments, the non-professional side of her life was far more intriguing and significant. Four aspects of Twyla's life were particularly important to her-missions, her faith community, friends and travel. While in a rather fast management track, she sought a sabbatical for mission work in Africa. Ultimately, with loss of her former position, sale of her beloved Porsche, and no guarantee of a job upon return, she left excitedly for a year in Uganda. "Missions" for Twyla was not an effort to convert others, to push a theology or proof-text the Bible. It was instead to serve those in need as her faith directed her, whether in Atlanta at the Buckhead Christian Ministry, in a Manhattan mission church, or on the other side of the world. Other extensive mission commitments included agricultural communities in Thailand, slums of Sao Paulo, the Philippines, Morocco, Liberia and Russia. Although an effective manager, Twyla did enthusiastically what was needed at the time in that place, including painting walls in Russia, scrubbing toilets in Prague, teaching English, developing singles programs, teaching Bible classes, hammering Habitat houses or sorting thrift-shop clothes. Her travel adventures were not limited to mission trips; friends cannot even count them. Twyla had traveled to all continents but Antarctica and had graced all but two US states. She had climbed Kilimanjaro, recently hiked the entire Amalfi Coast, bungee jumped in Australia, skied the Rockies and Alps, rode rapids of the Snake River and jet-boated on cliffs in New Zealand, to name a few. Her illness cancelled at a late date another working visit this March to Sao Paulo, Brazil. An avid photographer, her home was stuffed with slides and photos of adventures, missions, and travels, allowing friends and church to share those experiences and commitments. Twyla's service to her beloved Wieuca Road Baptist Church has been extensive and effective for decades. She was the first woman Chair of the Deacons. She won the highest award for service to her church and congregation and has had deep and leadership involvement in missions, Sunday school, most major committees, choir, outreach, and children's programs. At her death she was Vice Chair of Deacons, Chair of the Missions Committee, and Director of Mission Friends (children). But with all these adventures and contributions, perhaps her greatest gift was as a friend. Few have had comparable ability to cultivate and maintain friendships. It is striking that she could have been close or best friend to so many people in varied settings. Her accepting personality, wondrous energy, organized life, precise focus and to desire to love and support are a few of many traits that make her "best friend." She graciously shared her life broadly and will be greatly missed by family and loving friends around the world. She is survived by siblings, Wanda Ransom and Gerald Martin, both of Steelville, and several nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be at Wieuca Road Baptist Church (3626 Peachtree Road) at 2 p.m. on Sunday, April 3. Friends will gather at the church at the conclusion for a time of remembrance and celebration of her life. Contributions should be made to the WRBC Missions Ministry.